BASIC MANNERS &
COMMUNICATION CLASS
Reminders #2
Basic Manners and Communication Class
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Try not to repeat the cue. Challenge yourself to tell the dog what you want once. Then breath. Count to 3 in your head if you need to - you're giving them time to process. Most dogs need 3-5 seconds. Chances are they heard you and you repeating the cue is often a sign that you're getting inpatient. Instead find an alternative that will support your cue rather than repeat it. Things that work great include making a sound, doing a hand movement, giving them more time! - patience is key to being a good teacher.
Don’t jump too far too fast. The key to a well trained dog is a solid foundation. That means repeating boring behaviors in different environments, situations and settings WAY more than you ever think is necessary.
Recently I was brought in on a consult with a dog who "wasn't coming when he's called" the dog is 8mo old and had had a lot of training but the owner was forgetting a crucial piece....you can never be a senior level dog as a puppy (or adolescence) it's impossible, they just haven't had enough experiences yet - slow down and let them figure stuff out close to you!
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If your dog has done what you’ve asked before but is now struggling, chances are something else is going on. Consider:
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Are you expecting too much too quickly?
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Is there a potential smell in the area they're being distracted by?
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Are you frustrated/short or impatient more than usual?
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Do they feel okay?
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Remember to have and practice a release word. Many of us use “okay” or show our hands (to indicate there’s no more treats). It doesn’t matter what you choose, but have one. The reason being is dogs are studying you all the time and if you start a training session then get caught up in something else and the session just kinda fades off, the dog picks up on that and their attention is not as focused. It’s also a great way to say go, be a dog for a minute!
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Leash manners. I’m attaching a handout on the different strategies to employ when your dog needs leash manners. As a reminder, if you have a young dog with a lot of energy – they need to get that out, otherwise it’s going to come out on the leash, and that’s no fun for them or you! Be sure your dog has a chance to roam, smell, run, and engage – this is often the best way to improve a dogs quality of life and confidence level.
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As long as you know your pup is well exercised then you can expect good behavior on the leash. I start out every walk with some exercises. Reminding them that they know Look, Touch, Leave it before you need any of them, or before you run into something that’s exciting or scary for your kiddo. Also try walking your dog for a portion of the time using Leave it then for a portion let them smell everything. Smelling is a great outlet (and workout!) for your pup. It engages their brain and helps them know their area and neighbors.
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If your pup is still over the top or you’re needing to walk more than one at a time you may have success with a management device; a tool that will help your pup get out of their own way and help you teach them what you want. I recommend a handful depending on the dog and the situation. First a no-pull harness is a front clip harness (clips at the chest instead of the back) but it also tightens up on the dogs shoulder when they pull. These can work great and be enough for many dogs although they don’t fit well on low-riders.
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If a dog is using their mouth to communicate a bit more than is realistic (or than you’d like!) then I recommend a head halter; these act a lot like a horse halter in that they fit over the dogs mouth and remain loose unless the dog pulls. If a dog is barking or lunging I’ll often recommend a head halter or a citronella bark collar. Citronella collars spray a small blast of citrus into your dogs face when they bark. It’s a great interruption device because the timing is awesome (although if you have multiple barkers one dog could be getting sprayed for others). Lastly if the dog cannot get out of their own way and they’ve escalated to using their teeth, I use a muzzle.
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Laugh! One of the best things about dogs is they can make us be kids again. Allow us to live in the present, laugh and enjoy life. Whenever we get frustrated or lose our cool we’re not the best teachers. So on the days when you’re down or not yourself, allow your dog to intervene to change your mood. If they can’t, don’t try to train, just chill. Wait until you’re in a good mood and zone. Dogs don’t learn well when they’re nervous, better to relax and pick up later.
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And cut yourself a break. You came to class, you’re working with your pup. You’re not going to do everything right, but just like our dogs, we need practice. We need to practice not reacting when our dogs do and staying light and positive and going with it.
~Marcy